Pontedera

SEATTLE — Pontedera, a community of single-floor condominiums and ground-floor commercial live/work lofts, is located minutes from the International District, First Hill, Capitol Hill and Seattle University.

Ten homes have been purchased since Jan. 1, and the community is now more than 60 percent sold.

The six-story energy-efficient building offers one-, two- and three-bedroom homes priced from $189,900. It was developed by HomeSight, which has specialized in creating homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers for more than 20 years.

Pontedera is located south of downtown Seattle's business and entertainment districts, and has walkable connections to local arts and music venues. Medical professionals have a quick commute to Seattle's major hospitals.

There are five Metro bus stops within 300 yards of Pontedera, and a light-rail station is planned three blocks away. A bicycle trail that connects to Interstate 90 runs past the building.

Three of the community's eight commercial live/work lofts remain for sale. They range in size from 940 to 1,200 square feet, and offer 13-foot ceilings, large storefront windows, and roll-up garage doors in addition to standard entry doors. These are ideal for office space or small retail businesses.

Some of the homes have gas fireplaces framed in granite tile, air conditioning, floor-to-ceiling windows with city views, and soapstone or granite countertops. All homes feature Energy Star-certified appliances, low-E windows, water-conserving fixtures and a central gas-fired hot-water system.

A second-floor community lounge and 2,250-square-foot landscaped deck are available for entertaining. Each home includes a reserved parking stall. An electric-car charging station and wall-mounted bicycle brackets are located in the secure two-level parking garage.

Qualified buyers may be eligible for fixed-interest 30-year loans at rates as low as 2.5 percent (3.42 percent APR). Other financing options available at Pontedera include zero-down state bonds, conventional and FHA financing, and down-payment-assistance programs.